Grill top with removable rods

Abstract

A grill top for a grill, the grill including a wall and an open cooking area, the grill top adapted to be mounted to the grill such that the grill top extends across at least a portion of the grilling area. The grill top includes a grill frame having at least two opposed sides, and a plurality of grill rods. Each grill rod includes first and second opposed ends, the first end being rotatably mounted to one side of the grill frame and the second side being rotatably mounted to the other side such that each rod is rotatable relative to each adjacent rod and the grill frame. The grill rods are preferably removable for cleaning. Also disclosed are several devices for cleaning the grill rods.

1 . A grill top for a grill, the grill including a wall and an open cooking area, the grill top adapted to be mounted to the grill such that the grill top extends across at least a portion of the grilling area, the grill top comprising: 
 a grill frame having at least two opposed side frames; and    a plurality of grill rods, each grill rod including first and second opposed ends, the first end of each rod being rotatably mounted to one side frame and the second end being rotatably mounted to the other side frame such that each rod is rotatable relative to each adjacent rod and the grill frame.    
   
   
       2 . A grill top according to  claim 1 , wherein the rods are removable relative to the grill frame such that at least one end of the rods can be moved out of engagement with an associated side frame.  
   
   
       3 . A grill top according to  claim 1 , wherein the rods are slidable relative to the grill frame such that at least one end of the rods can be slid out of engagement with an associated side frame.  
   
   
       4 . A grill top according to  claim 3 , wherein the rods include a handle to facilitate sliding of the rod relative to the grill frame.  
   
   
       5 . A grill top according to  claim 4 , wherein the grill frame is formed integral with a grill.  
   
   
       6 . A grill top according to  claim 5 , wherein the grill includes a first side, and wherein the grill includes a plurality of holes spaced laterally apart from one another, and wherein the rotatable mounting of each rod is provided by an end of the rod positioned within the hole such that the rod end can rotate within the hole.  
   
   
       7 . A grill top according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one scraper is mounted to the grill adjacent to each rod and wherein the lateral sliding of the rod causes the rod to slide past the scraper thereby scraping food particles off the rod.  
   
   
       8 . A grill top according to  claim 1 , wherein the rods are hollow, and at least one end includes a removable cap which permits access to the inside of the rod.  
   
   
       9 . A grill top according to  claim 8 , wherein the rods include a plurality of holes and wherein the rods are adapted to removably receive flavor slicks which are designed to emit a gas out of the holes during cooking.  
   
   
       10 . A grill top for a grill, the grill top comprising: 
 a grill frame having at least first and second side frames spaced apart from one another, and a plurality of rod supports formed on each side frame, the rod supports being spaced apart from one another; and    a plurality of grill rods, each grill rod including first and second opposed ends, the first end of each rod being rotatably supported by a rod support on the first side frame, and the second end of each rod being rotatably supported by a rod support on the second side frame, each rod being rotatable relative to an adjacent rod and the grill frame.    
   
   
       11 . A grill top according to  claim 10 , wherein the rod supports comprise holes formed in the side frames, and wherein there are two lateral frames, each lateral frame connecting to one end of each side frame.  
   
   
       12 . A grill top according to  claim 10 , wherein the rod supports comprise U-shaped brackets attached to the side frames, each rod sitting in two U-shaped brackets, and wherein there are two lateral frames, each lateral frame connecting to one end of each side frame.  
   
   
       13 . A grill top according to  claim 10 , wherein the rod supports comprise notches formed in the top of the side frames, each rod sitting in a corresponding notch in each side frame.  
   
   
       14 . A grill top according to  claim 13 , further comprising locking frame pivotally attached to the frame, the locking frame having a closed position where the locking frame prevents an end of each of the rods from being removed from its corresponding notch, thereby locking the rod end into the side frame, the locking frame have an open position wherein the locking frame is pivoted to a location which permits an end of each rod to be removed from is corresponding notch.  
   
   
       15 . A grill top according to  claim 13 , wherein each rod includes a removable cap at each end, each cap engaged with a recess formed in the end of the rod, each cap including a distal end adapted to rotatably seat within a notch.  
   
   
       16 . A grill top according to  claim 15 , wherein the rods are hollow, the removable cap permitting access to the inside of the rod, and wherein the rods include a plurality of holes.  
   
   
       17 . A grill top according to  claim 16 , further comprising flavor slicks removably received in the grill rods, the flavor sticks designed to emit a gas out of the holes during cooking.  
   
   
       18 . A grill top according to  claim 10 , wherein the rod supports comprise a plurality of plugs projecting from one surface of each side frame, each plug having a shape designed to engage with a recess formed in an end of a rod to secure the rod to the side frame.  
   
   
       19 . A grill top according to  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of the rods include a fin projecting along at least a portion of the length of the rod, the fin acting as a louver to provide control over the passage of air and heat between adjacent rods.  
   
   
       20 . A grill top for a grill, the grill top comprising: 
 a grill frame having at least first and second side frames spaced apart from one another, and a plurality of rod supports formed on each side frame, the rod supports being spaced apart from one another; and    a plurality of grill rods, each grill rod including first and second opposed ends, the first end of each rod being rotatably supported by a rod support on the first side frame, and the second end of each rod being rotatably supported by a rod support on the second side frame, each rod being rotatable relative to an adjacent rod and the grill frame; and    a flavor enhancer within each rod, the flavor enhancer adapted to permeate from the rod during cooking.